Clipboard and clip therefor

ABSTRACT

A clipboard is provided in which pivotal movement of the clamping member in relation to the supporting member is effected by the provision of interlocked hook-like portions on the members, which hook-like portions act as fulcrum points for each other, and the provision of an extraneous pivot pin is not required. The members cannot be disengaged from each other, without first removing the spring which biases the clamping member to clamping position.

United States Patent Shelton et al. 1 Jan. 23, 1973 [5 CLIPBOARD AND CLIP THEREFOR 1,329,661 2/1920 Hansen .L ..24 1s3 R x [75] Inventors: Warren E. Shelton, Strongsville, ?'l i 3 Gate? g g Ohio; Samuel M. Harris, 260 West 2 33 x g 23 Streetsboro Road, o Ohio 0 en 44236 Primary ExaminerDonald A. Griffin [73] Assignee: Salk! Harris, by said Shelton Alt meylsler and 0rnstein [22] Filed: May 21, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [2]] Appl' A clipboard is provided in which pivotal movement of the clamping member in relation to the supporting [52] US. Cl ..24/67.7, 24/252 PC member is effected by the provision of interlocked L511 [1t hook-like portions on the members, which hook-like [Sgl F ield of Search "24/153 R, 67.3, 248 SB, portions act as fulcrum points for each other, and the 24/248 HC, 67 l i, 67.5,67.7,67.1],252, provision of an extraneous pivot pin is not required. 137 A, 252 PC; 132/48 The members cannot be disengaged from each other, 1 without first removing the spring which biases the clamping member to clamping position. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l893 Dom ..24/67.7

6 Claims, 7 Drawlng Figures PATENTEDJAH23 i975 3.71 l, 899

sum 1 or 2 Fig. 3

I NVE NTO S WARREN E. SHELTON BY SAMUEL M. HARRIS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAH 23 I973 SHEET 2 0F 2 H l I 4 lOb 8 Fig. 4

I.-"-'E.-TC?S WARREN E. SHELTON BY SAMUEL M. HARRIS ATTORNEYS CLIPBOARD AND CLIP THEREFOR The invention relates generally to clipboards, but may be used in conjunction with the manufacture of spring clips of other types, which are not associated with clipboards.

In most clipboards, such, for example, as that shown in Cooke U.S. Pat. No. 1,190,265, a supporting member is provided which is attached to the board, and a clamping member is provided, which coacts with the board, the supporting member and clamping member having overlapping cars which are pivotally secured to each other by means of a pivot pin or rod which extends through the ears. A flat band spring is usually interposed between the supporting member and the clamping member for resiliently urging the clamping member towards clamping position.

In Cohen U.S. Pat. No. 2,569,371, a pivoted spring clip is shown, consisting of two identical gripping members, which are pivotally connected about a wire, which is part of a clothes hanger, so that the gripping members may be used to support a skirt or the like. The gripping members are provided with hook-shaped formations, which are maintained about the wire by means of a U-shaped spring which is interposed between the gripping members. The wire thus constitutes a pivot or pintle for the gripping members, and in the absence of the spring, the gripping members would remain unattached to the wire or to each other, and would, in effect, fall away from each other.

The present invention has, as its primary object, the provision of a clipboard of the character described, in which the supporting member which is attached to the clipboard, and the clamping member, are pivotally secured to each other without the use of a pivot pin or pintle, or other extraneous means which function as a pivot pin or pintle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pivot spring clip consisting of members which are pivotally secured to each other without the use of a pivot pin or pintle, or other extraneous means functioning as a pivot pin or pintle, and which remain thus pivotally secured to each other, even in the absence of a spring, as described.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pivot spring clip of the character described, consisting of members having hook-like formations which are interengaged to provide a pivot for such members, and hook-like formations must be disengaged from each other to permit separation of said members.

'Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. I is a fragmentary plan view of a clipboard embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a-front elevational view of the clipboard;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the clipboard;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the clipboard, as viewed from the left end of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the clipboard, as viewed from the right end of FIG. 2;.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 1 designates a clipboard, such, for

example, as the type to which papers are clipped or clamped by means of a spring-actuated clip or clamp.

Secured to the upper edge portion of the clipboard l, as by means of rivets 2 and 3, is a supporting member 4, formed of sheet metal and having spaced upstanding flanges 5 and 6 at its lower end, and an upturned flange 7 at its upper end. The functions of these flanges will be presently described.

The member 4 is further provided with a pair of transversely spaced upstanding ears 8 and 9, which are formed integrally with the member 4, and terminate respectively in curved hook-like portions 10 and l l, which are curved in a direction toward the upper edge of the member 4, and extend through a circular arc in excess of so that the termini 10a and 11a of these hook-like portions are spaced very slightly from the adjacent edges of the ears 8 and 9, to provide entrant spaces for a purpose to be presently described.

The inside edge of the hook-like portion 10, at its highest point, provides a fulcrum or fulcrum point 10b, the function of which will be presently described, and the inside edge of the hook-like portion 11, at its highest point, provides a fulcrum or fulcrum point 11b for a like purpose.

The member 4 is further provided adjacent the flange 7, with a hole or opening 13, which functions not only as a finger grip in the use of the clipboard, but also as a means of supporting the clipboard from a wall hook, nail or the like.

The clipboard further includes an inclined clamping or gripping member 14, formed of sheet metal, and having at its forward edge a downtumed flange 15, which is adapted to coact with the board 1 to clamp or grip papers therebe'tween. The member 14 is provided at its rear edge with a downtumed flange 16, which serves a purpose to be presently described, and with an embossment 17, which functions as a thumb grip, and a series of transversely extending embossments 18, 19 and 20, which serve to reinforce this area of the member 14.

The member 14 is further provided with a pair of transversely spaced downwardly extending ears 21 and 22, which are formed integrally with the member 4 and terminate respectively in curved hook-like portions 23 and 24, which are curved in a direction toward the flange l5, and extend through a circular arc in excess of 180, so that the termini 23a and 24a of these hooklike portions are spaced very slightly from the adjacent edges of the ears 21 and 22, to provide entrant spaces for a purpose to be presently described.

The inside edge of the hook-like portion 23, at its lowest point, provides a fulcrum or fulcrum point 23b, the function of which will be presently described, and the inside edge of the hook-like portion 24, at its lowest point provides a fulcrum or fulcrum point 24b, for a like purpose.

The device further includes a U-shaped spring 25, which is interposed between the members 4 and 14, and one end of which engages the flange 7, while the other end engages the flange 16, to thereby retain the spring against displacement.

The spring 24 is provided with a circular opening 26 in axial alignment with the opening 13, and with a circular opening 27 which accommodates the embossment l7.

The flanges 5 and 6 function as stops or gauges for the upper edges of sheets of paper which are to be clamped to the clipboard.

in assembling the members 4 and 14, the hook-like portions 23 and 24 are interlocked with the hook-like portions 10 and 11, in such a manner that when the member 14 is moved relatively to the member 4, the hook-like portions 23 and 24 move about the fulcrum points 10b and 11b, while, at the same time, the hooklike portions 10 and 11 move about the fulcrum points 23b and 24b, so that a true pivotal movement is obtained about these fulcrum points, without the use of pivot pins or other extraneous pivot means.

The interlocked engagement of the hook-like portions is maintained by the spring 25, which maintains the member '14 in clamping position, except when released by pressure of the member 14 toward the member 4.

As long as the spring 25 is in position, the hook-like portions cannot be disengaged from each other. This is partially due to the considerable circumferential or arcuate extent of the hook-like portions.

Since there is no pivot pin to obstruct placement of the spring 25, the spring may be inserted in position after the members 4 and 14 have been assembled with each other. This facilitates the complete assembly of the clipboard.

ALthough the invention has been described more particularly as part of a clipboard, it is to be understood that the invention may also be used as a spring clip of the type shown in the aforesaid Cohen US. Pat. No. 2,569,371.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A clipboard, comprising a board, and a clip therefor, said clip comprising a supporting member and providing a pivotal connection between the members.

2. A clipboard, as defined in claim 1, wherein the hook-like portions of said supporting member have ful- A crum points about which the hook-like portions ofsaid clamping member move,

3. A spring clip comprising a pair of members which are pivotally connected to each other, and a spring interposed between said members, each of said members provided with ears having hook-like portions interengaged with the hook-like portions of the other member to thereby provide a pivotal connection between the members.

4. A clipboard, comprising a board, and a clip therefor, said clip comprising a supporting member secured to said board, a clamping member overlying said supporting member, and a spring interposed between said members, said members having ears having hook-like portions interengaged with each other and providing a pivotal connection between the members, said hook-like portions of said supporting member having fulcrum points about which the hooklike portions of said clamping member move, all of said hook-like portions being of arcuate shape, and the arc of which extends through at least 5. A spring clipv comprising a pair of members which are pivotally connected to each other, and a spring interposed between said members, each of said members provided with ears having hook-like portions interengaged with the hook-like portions of the other member to thereby provide a pivotal connection between the members, the hook-like portions of one of said members having fulcrum points about which the hook-like portions of the other member move.

6. A spring clip, as defined in claim 5, wherein all of said hook-like members are of arcuate conformation, and the arcs of which extend through at least 180. 

1. A clipboard, comprising a board, and a clip therefor, said clip comprising a supporting member secured to said board, a clamping member overlying said supporting member, and a spring interposed between said members, said members having ears having hook-like portions interengaged with each other and providing a pivotal connection between the members.
 2. A clipboard, as defined in claim 1, wherein the hook-like portions of said supporting member have fulcrum points about which the hook-like portions of said clamping member move.
 3. A spring clip comprising a pair of members which are pivotally connected to each other, and a spring interposed between said members, each of said members provided with ears having hook-like portions interengaged with the hook-like portions of the other member to thereby provide a pivotal connection between the members.
 4. A clipboard, comprising a board, and a clip therefor, said clip comprising a supporting member secured to said board, a clamping member overlying said supporting member, and a spring interposed between said members, said members having ears having hook-like portions interengaged with each other and providing a pivotal connection between the members, said hook-like portions of said supporting member having fulcrum points about which the hook-like portions of said clamping member move, all of said hook-like portions being of arcuate shape, and the arc of which extends through at least 180*.
 5. A spring clip comprising a pair of members which are pivotally connected to each other, and a spring interposed between said members, each of said members provided with ears having hook-like portions interengaged with the hook-like portions of the other member to thereby provide a pivotal connection between the members, the hook-like portions of one of said members having fulcrum points about which the hook-like portions of the other member move.
 6. A spring clip, as defined in claim 5, wherein all of said hook-like members are of arcuate conformation, and the arcs of which extend through at least 180*. 